Team

Maree

Director / Storyteller / Editor

Maree is a social worker in South Auckland and has recently become a Mum for the first time! Maree became involved with HOSA through her friendship/whānau connections with Jas (Creator), and because she has grown up out South and loves the people and cultural diversity. Her favourite food is salt and vinegar chips and she loves to travel (having visited 52 countries and counting!)

Monique

Photographer / Storyteller

Monique is a mother of 3 young boys and married to her hero. Born in Papakura and lived most of her life in Manurewa she was excited about HOSA and stoked to join the team. She is passionate about ‘listening’ to people and loves capturing a little of a person’s story in their photo. Monique loves blue cheese, photography, scuba-diving and the beach in winter. When she’s not studying, her favourite pass time is to look through her lens and ‘shoot’ the unnoticed things. Monique is slightly obsessed with heroes and has attempted to convince her boys she is in fact Batman. So far they are not convinced…

Alex

Photographer / Storyteller

Alex is a 36-yr old father of two, and is the Creative Services Manager at Tearfund. His work at Tearfund has been the primary platform for his photography, allowing him to visit and photograph in several countries as a part of his work. Alex became involved with HOSA through Monique and Maree, and has been on the team since 2016. Alex has lived in Manurewa for the last 30 years and loves the vision of HOSA to re-write perceptions of the South. You’ll often find Alex enjoying a good coffee, bouncing with his kids on the trampoline, or watching some good old sci-fi.

Lee

Graphic Designer

Lee is our HOSA Graphic Designer. He grew up in both Otara and Brookby. Lee asked to become part of the HOSA team because he saw the potential of what could be accomplished. Lee also wanted to give his time to something that had the power to improve/help people’s lives and change the stereotypes that exist about South Auckland. Lee sustained a spinal injury when he was 13 and found that the harder things to overcome became much easier with the love, support and faith of friends and family. He wants to be able to return the favour by passing that energy forward to others.

Roxy

Storyteller

When Roxanne moved from South Africa in 2015 she felt South Auckland was a bit like home. She was introduced to HOSA through her flatmate at the time, Jas (the creator) and jumped on board as the project seemed the perfect platform to merge her passion for people, psychology and writing. She regards it a privilege to have people share their stories, and her journey with HOSA has given her much personal fulfilment. When she is not working or studying, she is playing sports and getting outdoors. She loves the sunshine, sushi and deep belly laughs!